a new way to pray
A few weeks ago, a slim book came in the mail courtesy of a friend. We serve on a board together, and he sent a copy of this resource to each board member before our fall retreat.
Until I opened it, I had no idea that my morning prayer routine had grown stale. In the early days of pandemic, morning prayer was a balm and a joy. As things have become abnormally normal again, I’ve struggled in the morning to stick to a prayer practice. And when I do, I get easily distracted.
Until…
DAILY PRAYER FOR ALL SEASONS arrived on my door step.
It appears unadventurous enough to populate pew racks and yet…. check these gems out:
“People say that walking on water is a miracle, but to me, walking peacefully on the earth is the real miracle.” Thich Nhat Hanh (page 122)
“Holy One, in love you created us and called it good: Grant us the deep wisdom of your love that, wherever this day leads, our lives remain rooted in your goodness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (page 125)
“Fish cannot drown in water, birds cannot sink in air, gold cannot perish in the refiner’s fire. This has God given to all creatures: to foster and seek their own nature.” Mechthild of Magdeburg, 13th century (page 135)
“Creator and lover of our souls: Teach is to release our burdens and accept your love. May your love be the deepest reality of our lives, and may we offer real love to others. Amen.” (page 147)
It goes on. Richard Rohr. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Wendell Berry. Hymns from varied traditions. Elizabeth Drescher. Freshly translated canticles. Janet Morley. Oscar Romero.
Brief, poetic, interesting, comforting, spacious.
Like the Book of Common Prayer, it’s organized so that I do not have to make any decisions other than to open it and pray. It reserves energy for the practice, rather than the preparation.
Thank you, consultants, contributors, and Church Publishing! So good. So useful.
